1c. The cab decides not to take you if you're going to JFK from Manhattan on a Friday afternoon (me, too many times)

And you've never had Uber drivers cancel on you?

Because 1b never happened with tech companies. I didn't see thebtopic hit HN front page this week so far, if that counts as proof.

Uber blacklists people all the time for pursuing chargebacks when Uber charges a customer despite failing to provide the service. Here's an example of predatory behavior from just yesterday: https://old.reddit.com/r/UberEATS/comments/151k5hq/whats_wro...

My counter anecdotal example is that this never happened to me or anyone in my social sphere after 10 years of Uber rides, but phone number blacklisting happened to almost everyone I knew. /shrug

In SF, there really isn't "another cab company" other than Yellow Cab.

To echo the parent, they may have been unethical and borderline illegal about scooping marketshare from cab monopolies, but there were no complaints from the consumer.

...flywheel?

I use Flywheel and taxis occasionally: red lanes usable and curbside already available pickup at SFO. However, each time it's a horrendous experience.

Vehicles are bottom tier. Cab driver will always insist on just being like "What's the cross street?" (Bro use the satnav). Way more expensive.

Wasn’t flywheel a response to Uber?

I believe it was. Had a bit of controversy at the start with the guy fighting some taxi companies over it, but overall it does the job fine. The problem is that the taxis themselves suck.

The 1b that happens with tech companies is different than calling a taxi and not taking it. In this situation Uber/Lyft is still able to charge you and so they won't feel as slighted.

> [1] If you no longer need your scheduled or requested ride, feel free to cancel it. You may be charged a cancellation fee in certain conditions.

[1]: https://help.lyft.com/hc/e/all/articles/115012922687-Cancel-...

1a doesn't happen if you call a "black car" service. Different service level.

1b almost never happened, because the technology didn't really exist. And there are many competing companies. And you can resolve it by actually paying for the work you made someone do.

That's why there are regulations. In Germany, for example, cabs can't deny a ride because you look weired, you smell, your are drunk, and similar things. They are required to take any ride. The levels are very high for them to deny a ride. The punshment would be to cancel their cab license.

Cabs are even required to take kids with proper safety and to take people with disablities like wheel chairs.

They have similar laws in the US too, the problem was that cab drivers would never follow them! They are supposed to take you anywhere you need to go, but I was repeatedly refused transit because my ride was too out of the way and one time since it was too close to the airport.

Want to file a complaint? Well, then you are free to file a complaint with the taxi and limousine commission and then show up in person at an obscure location to present your case.

The amount of follow-through was approximately zero.